Bit.



O. W. SMITH.

BIT.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 28, 1914.

Patented Feb. 16, 1915.

7 wi lmeooeo OSCAIW I OSCAR W. SMITH, F FLAT ROCK, MICHTGAN BIT.

Application filed September 28,

To all "whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, OSCAR *vV. SMITH, a

citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Flat Rock, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bits, specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to to an arrangement eii'ect of a-straight driving bit under ord1- nary conditions but that if desired can be made to bring pressure uponthe lower jaw of a horse and prevent the animal from gaining controllof the bit.

The invention also includes details of construction whereby the lips of the horse are not pinched or cut by the operation of the device and whereby parts do not become clogged as from freezing and severe weather.

he invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the bridle with a bit that embodies the invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a view taken in cross section showing a cheek plate and its method of attachment to the mouth piece;

bridle bits and and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the bit enlarged, taken partially in section with the movement of the cheek bar indicated in dotted lines.

Referring to the drawings a mouth piece 1 in the form of a straight bar has a pair of forwardly projecting ears 2. A'pair o cheek plates 3 are pivoted to swing on these ears by means of pins 4% between theouter end and base or root of each ear 2 so that the pressure exerted by a plunger 5 backed by a spring 6 in an end socket of the mouth piece, tends to project the cheek plate against the forward end portion of the ear which acts as a shoulder or stop.

The cheek plate 3 has a forwardly projecting outturned arm 7 in which the rein ring 8 is pivoted, the latter being bent so that on a. straight pull of the rein the body of the rein ring extends substantially parallel to the cheek plate. The body portion of the cheek plate is outwardly rounded and inwardly recessed, the inner curved face 9 forming a cam surface against 'WhichTthe his rounded end of the plunger bears.

Specification of Letters Patent.

of which the following'isa thereof that gives the .plate in any manner Patented Feb; 15, 1915.,

191%. Serial No. 863,737.

recess is contiiiued'rearwardly of the mouth piece 1 in such manner. that when the cheek plate is turned in there is no tendency oi thecheek plate to pinch the horse's lip in the angle that would otherwise be formed between the mouth piece and the .plate.

The pivot stud is herein shown as the shank of a cheek strap ring 10 by which the bit is secured to the cheek strap of the bridle in the usual manner. This disposition of the cheek strap as a pivot is not essential to the construction as the pivot pin may be separate from the ring and the latter may be arranged and disposed on the desired, but preferably with a pivotal connection so as-not to turn with the cheek plate. A suitably arranged opening or loo irithe rcar-end 01'? each cheek plate a ords means for attaching reinswhile another aperture 11 in the rear portion of each cheek plate provides for the attachment of either a martingale strap or an overcheck as desire It is to be understood that the plates are rounded so as to not injure an animal and are designed to provide the necessary strength together with lightness, the essenr has a tendency to draw upon theliit,

either a slight sawing motion or. hard pull will swing the cheek plates inwardly and bring sufficient pressure upon the jaw of the horse to restrain him readily. \Vhcn the strain on thereins is relieved so that there is only the normal driving touch, the bit resumes its normal position and operates as an ordinary bit.

One of the advantages oi the device the disposition of the connections within the cheek plate and mouth piece so that they are not exposed and do not tend to become clogged or frozen. Another advantage is the'arrangement of the parts so that with the bit sulliciently wide for the horse's jaw the lips of the horse are not pinched in the angles between the cheek plates and mouth piece.

Obviously changes in the details ofconhaving. forwardly extending ears, cheek plates pivoted between the ends of'the ears,-

spring projected-plungers' in recesses of the end portions of the mouth pieceinsliding 10 engagement with the" cheek .plates for holding the latter normally. against the bearing pivoted to'the forward presence of two witnesses OSOAR W. S ITH; 1

ears, and rein rings /portions of the cheek plates.

2. A bridle bit comprising a mouthpiece 15 having forwardly extended ears, cheek plates pivoted between the ends oi the ears, spring projected plu'ng'ersin recesses of the being oppositely ofi'setwith the centers of 'movement outside the line of the'pivotal "connection between the cheek plates and mouth piece.- I v r In testimony whereof I affix my signature -Witnesses'-:.-

ANNA MJ-DORR, C. R. STI KNEY.

portions of the c'heek plates, the rein rings and connected portions of the cheek plates- Copies, of this patent may be optaiuiifor fivecentsl each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, no. 

